Having a Home-Based Business - Part Two

While yesterday I shared the 'real' side of having a home-based business and did have some fun with it.  I would like to now take today to share why having your own business is so rewarding and worthwhile.
You are going to see that this blog is not only about soap.  I love to share my life, my journey, my experiences.  Whether talking about soap, businesses, DIY recipes, and real life - I do hope you enjoy the journey with me!

If you have that inkling deep inside, a twinge of entrepreneurial spirit, or have always known you wanted to have your own business - well, let me share how the benefits can far outweigh the negatives. And also just encourage you to go for it!

My reasoning for wanting to work from home was to be able to still contribute to our household income, but be home with my daughters and be able to help out on our small horse farm.  Now, that my life has taken on a new chapter and I am a single mom of two grown daughters, it is even more important that I have a sustainable income every month.  My business is in place and I am at a point to work even harder to make Farmhouse Soaps grow.

Ability to Work From Home
In addition to wanting to be my own boss, this was one of the primary reasons for me wanting my own business.  I wanted to work from home!  I wanted to be there for my kids versus being gone 10 hours a day.


Know your Values
A very dear friend of mine has been coaching me on setting my values for Farmhouse Soaps.  I learned early on that this is crucial to establishing the foundation of your business.  Your values "have to be personal, they have to stand for something.  This is how your business name and who you are will be perceived in the business world."  I could write pages about identifying your values.  Maybe we will cover that in another post!
It Takes Time!
Building a business doesn't happen over night!  It takes time, dedication and commitment.  There are up days with  home runs and there are down days that are spent in the trenches.  But life lessons are learned in both environments.  If I had a nickel for every failure I have experienced - well, I would be rich and wouldn't need to even make soap! LOL!  But, I am richer personally because of those failures and life lessons.

You're the Money Manager
Being a good steward of your business finances is your responsibility.  You decide how the profits are shared, spent, gifted and saved.  YOU make the financial decisions - not someone else for you.

Tax Advantages
There are a number of tax advantages to having your own business out of your home and having your office under one roof. You can deduct a part of your home’s operating expenses as business expenses. This can be a percentage of your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and/or the expenses of household maintenance.  You can deduct mileage, supplies, telephone, internet, office furniture and home improvement in those areas where you work.  Always consult a CPA for what expenses are tax deductible.

You Set Your Hours
When life gets crazy - you can set your own personal hours that work for you and your family.  You can take time off when needed or work into the wee hours.  You set your own schedule!

Your Dream
You are building your dream - not working endless hours building someone else's dream!

Do What You Love
'Nuff said - you will be doing what you LOVE to do!

Little Start Up Cost 
Yes, you can begin a business with a moderate investment.  It might mean you have to keep your day job for a while until you can build your business, but maybe not.
Don't go into debt to start a business - begin with what you have and let it grow organically!

Try a Network Marketing Company
This is another area that you can begin your own business with very little investment.  I love Young Living Essential Oils - I am as passionate about them as I am about my soap.  So it is easy to share my story and build a team with Young Living.  Since December, 2012, I now have a team of over 250 members.  These are amazing people who have become incredible friends.  We share our enthusiasm and love of using essential oils with each other and continually support each other.
With as little as a $150 investment, you can begin your own business with Young Living.  If this is something that interests you - let me know, I would be happy to share my experience.

So, while these are not rules and/or ideas that are set in stone, they are what have worked for me.  I love using Young Living essential oils for my family and our horses and I love to make soap!

God has abundantly blessed my efforts and I give Him all the glory each and every day.  He has guided my decisions and given me immense wisdom and direction.  He is the foundation of my business and I live to honor Him through my business.

So, if I have ignited a small spark - then the desire is there.  Think about what you love to do, pray that God will guide you, give you wisdom, and set your path before you.  Then take that first step towards living your dream!  If I can do it, anybody can and that includes you!

Have a blessed Saturday and thank you for stopping by!

In His service,

Keepin' It Real - Having Your Own Business - Part One

A couple of friends have asked me to share what it is like to have my own business from home.  And this week - well, it has been a doozy!  So, I thought what a great time to share exactly what it is like working from home!

 Have I mentioned that I LOVE making soap!  

I LOVE having my own business!  

I LOVE realizing a dream I have had for a long, long time.  

I could literally make soap all day long - every day of the week.  I could work on my business every moment of every day. 

Marketing, branding, creating new soap, packaging, shipping, blogging, talking with customers, delivering locally - I really enjoy every aspect of this business.

But....let's talk real life!  This week - my power went out one day, the next day my well pump needed repair so I had no water for 6 hours, then there were a few other things that popped up......

....things like.....animals, dishes, laundry, meals, grocery shopping, elder care, banking, errands, oh and a little quality time with my daughters!

Just when you think you have your week planned out for your business and are certain it will be your most productive week ever - life jumps in.  But that's okay - little hiccups like no power and no water only make each week more fun, more interesting, and all the more challenging to work through.

Having a home-based business is a delicate balance of want you want to do, what you need to do and what you don't want to do.  Having a business from home takes discipline.  Sometimes I hit a home run and other times I have epic fails!


But ~ the great news is that it can be done.  You do have to have a daily schedule, a calendar, a routine to fit it all in.  There are so many great advantages of having a home-based business.  

Personal freedom ~ no limit to the opportunities ~ tax advantages ~ more time for family and friends ~ less stress ~ a creative outlet ~ realizing YOUR hopes and dreams ~growing and developing what you are passionate about!

So, while this week I had a master plan - things didn't go quite how I expected them to.  So, we take each day and we run with it and know that tomorrow is another chance to hit that home run!  And on those days when you had everything planned out and nothing went according to plan you just smile and embrace the day - enjoy what God has put in your path!

If you have ever had a passion, really wanted to have your own business ~ may I encourage you to go for it.  To just try it out, to just give it a chance.  It will probably be the hardest work you will ever do - but it will also be the most rewarding work you have ever done!


Keepin' it real - it is what it is! LOL!

Stop back tomorrow for Part Two - how a typical day might look when you have your own business!

Blessings always ~

His Grace in the Journey ~ Iron Sharpens Iron

As iron sharpens iron,

                so one person sharpens another.

                            Proverbs 27:17

For most of my life, I have heard this verse from the Bible.  However, I have to admit that I never really practiced it day to day.

I always thought it was best to just mind my own business, go about my day, not confront others ~ I just thought it wasn’t my place to correct someone else.
Although I have practiced it with my daughters; being their mom, it was my place to correct, to guide, to comfort, to set what we call “course corrections” in their lives.

But applying this to my friends and other family members – well, I just stayed in my safe place and went along day to day.
It wasn’t until recently, that I personally experienced this Bible verse.  Someone cared enough about me to point out that some of my ways were not exactly what I would call God-honoring.

I struggled with pride, not being a good listener, being controlling, being judgmental, and a few other traits I am not too proud of.

Oh, I convinced myself that these traits were completely acceptable.  See, I have been through some tough years and felt that….

I wasn’t controlling – I had be responsible and care of my daughters and my life.

I wasn’t prideful – I was portraying self-confidence.

I wasn’t judgmental – I was seeing things for the way they were

I was a good listener – but I also wanted desperately to be heard.

Whew….wrong, wrong, wrong, oh and wrong.

Oh, how we can excuse our actions so easily.  And while it was very (yes, very) difficult to have these not-so-great traits brought to my attention ~ I am SO very, very grateful this person did care enough about me to tell me.

Why?  Quite simply because I could not see it.  I had every excuse imaginable to cover my actions – but they were wrong.  And because this person cared enough about me – they challenged me to make some very necessary course corrections in my own life.

Yes, iron sharpens iron.

You see, there is mutual benefit when two iron blades are rubbed together; the edges become sharper, making the edges more efficient in their task to cut and slice.

Likewise, the Word of God is a “double-edged sword” – Hebrews 4:12 - and it is with this that we are to sharpen one another – always.

Yes, iron sharpens iron.

If a knife is blunt, it still continues to be a knife, although it is less effective, less useful in service. Let us therefore be encouraged to spend more time together ~ encouraging, praying, sharing God’s Word.

Yes, iron sharpens iron.

Let us lift each other up, let us encourage one another, let us help each other to honor Christ in our day-to-day lives.  Let us sharpen each other and hold each other accountable to the One who we call our Savior.  Let us continue to shine and not become dull and continue to love each other enough to keep our focus and action on the Almighty.

Yes, iron sharpens iron - and I am personally thankful that there are those around me that will keep me sharp, shining, and living to please the Lord. 
May we all have the courage to go forward and keep each other sharp in the eyes of the Lord. Have a blessed week ahead.

Experiencing His Grace in the Journey ~ 

Tell Me About ... Lavender Lemongrass

This is a newer soap that was added to the Signature Collection earlier this year.  It was such a hit that it just had to become a soap that was available year round.

Lavender Lemongrass is a clean and inviting soap - a fresh blend of tangy lemon, bright citrus, and soft lavender flowers. 

It is made from a blend of saponified Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and Sustainably Harvested Palm Oils with natural colorants, organic lavender buds, essential oils and skin-safe, began fragrance oils.

Lavender is a popular, traditional scent that you will typically find as a hand crafted soap. However, adding the Lemongrass essential oil gives it a bright, citrus aroma that puts a new twist on an old favorite!

Lavender Lemongrass comes with or without organic Lavender buds and will look beautiful in your soap dish as well as leaving your skin soft and moisturized and smelling wonderful.

Give this soap a try - you will be glad you did!

His Grace in the Journey ~ Letting the Waters Clear

Many years ago I heard a gentleman give his testimony of how he came to accept Christ in his life.

 

He shared his life story and the difficulties he had faced.  Once he accepted Christ as his Savior, he was determined to walk daily with Christ.  However, he also shared about his difficulty in ‘hearing’ God.   

Wanting desperately to understand the Lord’s direction for his life, he often struggled with unanswered prayer, an inability to focus directly on Christ, a feeling that he should hear or feel God’s direction for his life.

Towards the end of his testimony, he gave this illustration and it has always stayed with me.

“Imagine you are walking barefoot through a shallow creek.  The sun is shining, the air is warm, and the creek is moving slowly.  As you step into the creek you notice how clear the waters are.  You can see small fish, plant life, the reflection of the sun and clouds,  and the pebbles that line the creek bed. 

However, as you walk and enjoy the cool waters of the creek, you notice that you stir the waters. As you move faster and splash about, you see that the water is no longer clear.  

The waters are murky and stirred up.   

You can no longer see the fish, the plant life, the sky's reflection, the bottom of the creek bed.

What was once a clear stream has become dull, muddy, murky and disheveled, and disorganized.

Then you stop, you are quiet, you stand still.  Then slowly, after some time, the waters once again begin to clear. It doesn’t happen quickly, you have to be patient, you have to be still.  You focus intently on watching the murkiness of the water slowly settle back down to the bottom of the creek bed and the waters become calm and once again…..they become clear.”

I have applied this story over and over again to my life with Christ. 

Often, I am SO busy, that I can’t hear His direction for my life.  I become distracted with the tasks before me, try to make decisions on my own, try to control my circumstances and plan out my future. 

When I am this busy I also will find myself becoming frustrated that I don’t hear my prayers answered, that I can’t seem to hear Him, that I lack the discernment to make God-honoring decisions, that my life is not glorifying His name in my day-to-day activities.

Then I realize that the waters have once again become so murky.  My busyness in life has caused me to stir the waters so much that it is going to take concentrated effort to once again let the waters become clear.   To take dedicated time out of my day to be still in His word.

Then…..when I become still, when I take time out of my day to be quiet and pray, take time to be in His word, when I lay my burdens at the foot of the cross, when I am still – He reveals Himself to me so abundantly.

I do hear His direction for my life, I see Him answer prayers that I thought He didn’t hear, I feel His presence as I walk through my day.  My daughters and I are constantly in awe of how present He is in our lives and how He does reveal Himself to us. 

While sin has separated us from God, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross has reconciled that separation.  Our sins are forgiven through Christ and we are once again connected to the Lord because of what Jesus did for us.  By simply confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness – Christ casts those sins out and they are forgotten.  We are given a new opportunity to live abundantly for Him and do our very best to glorify Him in our daily lives.

When the busyness of life seems to overwhelm and overtake your day – be still, seek Him out, pray, ask for His forgiveness, and be in His word – have quiet time with the Lord. 

Let the waters clear and hear what His plans are for you.  Feel His abundant love and grace in your life.

Experiencing His Grace in the Journey~

So then faith comes by hearing,

and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

Hand Crafted Soap and So Much More!

Naturally Made Products ~

I would also like this page to be an opportunity to share other natural products that you can create at home.

All it takes is a walk down the supermarket/drug store aisle and a brief glance at commercial product ingredients to establish enough reason to 'make your own.'

Not only does this give you the ability to create natural products that are safe for you and your family, you can control the ingredients, they are also VERY economical, and finally you can design products for your personal needs and scents you like.

So, let's start out with something simple that you can easily make at home!

Bath salts! 

Have you tried them??? 

If not, you are missing out on a real treat!

Bath salts are SO economical to create, you can make them with the scents you enjoy and may need, plus they are beneficial to your health.

So what do we need to make bath salts?

• Epsom Salts
• Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils such as Young Living Essential Oils

Epsom Salts can be purchased just about anywhere.  Wal-Mart carries them, drug stores, and even most small grocery stores have them. I am even seeing 'scented' Epsom Salts on the store shelves.  However, don't pay the high price for these salts when you can make your own!!

A 1 pound bag of Epsom Salts generally cost a little over a dollar.

What are the benefits of Epsom Salts?  

• They can ease stress and relax the body, 
• They will relieve minor muscle aches and pains,
• Help muscles and nerves function properly,
• Epsom Salts are believed to help the heart function properly,
• Epsom Salt baths are a good source of magnesium,
• Ever had a long day on your feet and your legs are just aching - take an Epsom Salt bath and you will be amazed at how quickly the aches and pains are relieved!

When you make your own Epsom Salts, you can also add therapeutic-grade essential oils to the salts.  This is an excellent way to create targeted relief for a specific issue.  
I only recommend and use Young Living therapeutic-grade essential oils.  

For more information on Young Living Essential Oils, please stop by my my website for more information. 
These oils are pure, have been specifically tested to be safe for personal use and are a high quality essential oil that you can be sure is safe for your family.

Some essential oils you might consider include:

Lavender ~ for relaxing, soothing, relieving stress
Peace & Calming ~ Another great essential oil blend that is excellent for relaxing.
Citrus Essential Oils ~ Can be invigorating, yet soothing. Plus they smell just amazing.

How to make them?  
In a glass or stainless steel bowl, measure out 16 ounces of Epsom Salts.  Add 4-12 drops of essential oils to the Epsom Salts (more or less to suit your desired level of scent).  
Please Note:  When using therapeutic-grade essential oils, they are highly concentrated - usually less is more - so start out with less drops of oils and add more to your liking!
Toss and thoroughly mix the essential oil with the Epsom Salts with a metal spoon. 
Once completely mixed, store in a 16 ounce mason jar and it will last for months!
Use just 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Epsom Salts per bath.

Clean up the bowl and spoon with hot soapy water!

Keep the jar handy next to your bath or put a ribbon around it and give it as a gift!

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend ahead and give this easy, simple bath salt recipe a try.  You will be glad you did!

Tell Me About ... Pure Castile Soap

Each week I would like to share a little information about each of the soaps that are available from Farmhouse Soaps.

This week ~ let's take a look at Pure Castile Soap.

Pure Castile Soaps are no longer easily found in stores.  This soap is made from 100% pure olive oil.  There are no colorants and no fragrances included in Pure Castile.  When you do find a bar of castile soap in a store, be sure to carefully read the ingredient listing as you will usually find other additives.
Castile, a classic soap, comes from the Mediterranean area - more specifically the Castile regions of Spain, where the abundance of olive oil prompted its development in the Middle Ages.  

This is a soap for the individual who has sensitive skin, may struggle with psoriasis or eczema, and is ideal for the elderly and babies!

Pure Castile soap is long-lasting and offers a lotiony, creamy-type lather versus an explosive, bubbly lather.  This gentle lathering soap will moisturize as well as thoroughly clean the skin.

Dorry worry if Pure Castile soap develops light yellowing spots through the soap as it ages and continues to cure ~ this is very characteristic of the soap and in no way inhibits its moisturizing and cleansing abilities. Pure Castile soap only gets better with age.  The soap will become harder and longer lasting!

To care for your Pure Castile soap, always place the bar of soap in a dish that will lift it out of standing water.  Better yet, a bamboo soap dish will aid in keeping it high and dry!

Pure Castile Soap is available in the traditional 5-ounce bar and also Baby Bars!

Baby Bars are just right for holding the soap in one hand while you support your little one in the other.  Baby Bars are Pure Castile soap that are made smaller to fit inside the palm of mom or dad's hand!
Baby Bars, made from 100% pure olive oil, make it an ideal choice for cleaning and moisturizing baby's soft, gentle skin.

Questions about using Pure Castile soap and if it is right for you?  Just email me at buyfarmhousesoaps@gmail.com.

Have a glorious Monday!